Mobile and internet
- Jio, Airtel and Vi all have good 4G/5G coverage in the city; signal can drop deep in the narrow lanes.
- Most hotels and cafés have Wi-Fi; speeds vary.
- Download offline maps of the old city before you arrive.
- Keep a power bank in your hotel room — but remember it is not allowed inside Kashi Vishwanath.
SIM cards for foreign visitors
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01
Easiest: an eSIM
Buy an international eSIM before you fly, or enable roaming. No paperwork in India.
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02
Or buy a local SIM
At the arrival airport in Delhi or Mumbai, or at an official Jio/Airtel store in Varanasi.
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03
Carry documents
Passport, valid visa, a passport photo and your hotel address in India.
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04
Wait for activation
Activation can take a few hours to a day after verification.
Money
- Exchange currency at banks or authorised money changers and keep your receipts.
- Tell your bank you are travelling to India so your cards are not blocked.
Cash
Essential for rickshaws, boats, offerings, street food and small shops. Carry notes of ₹10–₹200.
ATMs
Plentiful around Godowlia, Lanka, Sigra and the Cantonment. Prefer ATMs inside bank branches.
UPI
GPay, PhonePe and Paytm are accepted almost everywhere for Indian visitors — even by boatmen and tea stalls.
Cards
International cards work in larger hotels, restaurants and shops; smaller places often take only cash or UPI.
கவனிக்கவும். Do not carry your phone or a leather wallet into the temple. Phones are not allowed at all; leave them at your hotel or in a locker.
Useful numbers
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Emergency (police, fire, ambulance) | 112 |
| Ambulance | 108 |
| Women’s helpline | 1091 |
| Tourist helpline (Ministry of Tourism) | 1363 |